Shows
Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsRedefining Wine Culture with Tyler Balliet of Rebel School of Wine (Part 1)Ep 102How does someone from a beer-loving Wisconsin family end up creating a massive Rosé-themed wine playground in New York City? As well as writing a wine-themed book that is challenging the wine status quo?Today’s guest, author Tyler Balliet, is sharing her journey on how she’s helping to reshape the wine industry with events like Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, as well as her inspiration behind her book, Rebel School of Wine. We also dig into the heart of what’s wrong with how wine is traditio...
2025-04-3039 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Tuscany's Famous Sangiovese WinesEp 98Do the countless names and styles of Sangiovese in Tuscany leave you feeling more confused than confident?Today, we are unraveling the complexities of the famed Sangiovese grape. Due to this grape’s many different names and regional variations, it can often be confusing. We are going to dig into the DOCG classification system in Italy. Tuscany alone has 11 DOCGs, with 7 requiring that red wines are predominantly Sangiovese. We will also explore Chianti and its resurgence of quality through innovative wine-making techniques. Then we will head sou...
2025-04-0236 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUnique Sardinian Wines & Behind the Scenes in Winemaking w/ Sip with Nik (Part 2)Ep 97From starting her own winery to exploring unique grape varietals rarely known outside of Sardinia, Nikki Dickerson, also known on Instagram as Sip with Nik, is back on the podcast today!Today, Nikki is sharing her passion for unique wine varietals and how her love for Sardinian wine was born when she discovered rare wines like Semidano and Nuragus. Nikki shares her drive to introduce these hidden gems to a larger audience and how her Substack serves as the conduit to this. We also discuss her ambition to import...
2025-03-2630 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Sardinian Wine with Nikki Dickerson (Part 1)Ep 96When you think of islands in Italy, you probably think of Sicily, but what about the lesser known island of Sardinia?Today, Nikki and I are diving into the geography of Sardinia which lends itself to a diverse tapestry of wine styles. We’ll introduce you to a variety of grape varietals, including Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Cagnulari.From being home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, to challenges like navigating Italy’s complex regulations and unpredictable weather that killed 1/3 of her vines, you’ll learn what sets the isla...
2025-03-1945 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Piedmont Wines: From Nebbiolo to Moscato d’AstiEp 95Are you ready to uncover why the Piedmont region of Italy, often overshadowed by the famed Tuscan hills, is a hidden gem in the wine world? Would it surprise you to learn that there are many similarities between the famed Burgundy region and the Piedmont region?Today, I’m diving into the intricate geography of Piedmont and rich history that makes it such a unique wine region. I share the red wines you have probably heard of such as Barbera, Dolcetto, and...
2025-03-1235 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsItalian Wine 101: Key Regions and Grape VarietalsEp 94Ever felt lost in a sea of Italian wines with their complex names and regions? With their 384,000 wineries, 1.8 million acres of vineyards, and over 590 catalogued grape varieties, it’s no wonder if you do!Over the next several episodes we are going to do a deep dive into Italian wine! And in today’s podcast, we are doing an overview of how to read the labels on Italian wine bottles, the Italian wine classification system, and the 5 key wine regions in Italy. We will dive into the climate, geog...
2025-03-0535 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring the Harmony Between Wine & Music w/ David Britz (Part 2)Ep 93What do wine and music have in common? More than you think!Today, I have David Britz back on the podcast and he is sharing the synergies between wine and music! We talk about how both worlds are deeply intertwined in capturing unique, unrepeatable moments of magic. Whether it’s the perfect note in a live show or the optimal harvest of grapes for a vintage, both processes harness time to create something irreplicable. And don’t miss when David shares his aspirations for expanding the DD Proj...
2025-02-2635 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTurning Grief into Good: The Inspirational Story of the DD Project w/ David Britz (Part 1)Ep 92Today’s story is one of taking immense grief and love, and transforming it into a heartwarming initiative that honors a memory while celebrating female entrepreneurs by funding their dreams through wine sales.My guest David tragically lost his mother in 2019. He was driven by a desire to honor her memory and her entrepreneurial achievements through the founding of the DD Project. In this episode, we dive deep into the origin of the DD Project, David’s decision-making process for selecting and producing wines, and some of David’s favorite wines...
2025-02-1940 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCroatia Wine 101: A Guide to Croatian Wine Regions & GrapesEp 91Ever wondered what it's like to sip wine from the real-life King’s Landing from Game of Thrones? Today, I’m diving into the world of Croatian wine. I had never really thought about Croatian wine until last year when Jennifer Kerum attended my Walla Walla retreat. Jennifer is from Croatia and runs a wine tourism business there. She came on the podcast to talk about all things Croatian wine and it was so fascinating that I knew I needed to dig deeper into this region. I recently highl...
2025-02-1237 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsIs Vermouth a Wine or a Liquor?Ep 90When you think of Vermouth do you think of it as just a mixer for your martini? Vermouth is actually a wine! Wine must make up at least 75% of the total volume of a Vermouth, so it is very much a wine!From its ancient medicinal roots in 1050 BC China to its evolution in Italy as an aperitif, I’m diving into what Vermouth really is and why it’s so significant in the wine world. I’m digging into how...
2025-02-0533 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsNavigating Wine, Personal Growth, & Online Bullying with Natalie MacLean (Part 2)Ep 89Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dive deep into the world of wine while facing the challenges of online bullying?In today’s episode I have Natalie MacLean back on the podcast and she’s diving into the world of wine through an experiential and personal lens.Natalie shares her unique approach to wine journalism, the emotional and cultural impact of wine, and challenges within the hospitality industry - from high rates of substance abuse to etiquette norms that stigma...
2025-01-2937 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine, Storytelling, & Life Lessons with Natalie MacLean (Part 1)Ep 88How does one go from working at Supercomputer company SGI to becoming a renowned wine critic author?Today, we are joined by Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass; Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines; and Wine Witch on Fire.Natalie shares her transformation from tech to full-time writer, and dives into how storytelling can transform complex topics like wine into engaging and memorable experiences. The conversation tu...
2025-01-2239 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Go-To Wine Books for Beginners & EnthusiastsEp 87When it comes to wine books, which ones are essential for every wine lover’s collection? Well, if you know anything about me, you know I’m a sucker for a good wine book. A wine book is how I actually ended up getting into wine in the first place!Before I was really enthralled by the world of wine, my husband and I took a trip down to Willamette Valley. The tour guide gave us an amazing tour of Archery Summit and r...
2025-01-1527 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTxakoli: Exploring Spain’s Basque Country Signature WineEp 86With its rise in popularity, I had a listener, Sheila, reach out to me wanting to learn more about Txakoli!I didn’t know a lot about Txakoli until I started researching this episode and what surprised me most was that Txakoli is not a grape! It’s actually a style of wine, usually referring to dry white wine from the Basque Country of Spain. It’s known for being slightly sparkling, fruity, and refreshing.In today’s episode, we will dive into the...
2025-01-0828 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Portuguese & Mexican Wines w/ NOSSA Imports (Part 2)Ep 85Are you ready to go beyond wine from Spain, France, and the United States? Dale Ott, sommelier turned importer of Mexican and Portuguese wines, is back on the podcast and she is giving us a deep dive into Mexican and Portuguese wines.Dale is diving into the often overlooked but incredibly fascinating worlds of Mexican and Portuguese wines. She shares how Portuguese wines are reviving ancient winemaking traditions and how regions like Northern Baja and Valle de Parras are overcoming infrastructural challenges t...
2025-01-0135 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHow Importers are Changing What You Drink & Why It Matters w/ Dale Ott (Part 1)Ep 84Ever wondered what it takes to bring unique Mexican and Portuguese wines to your local shelves?Today’s guest, Dale Ott, is giving us a behind the scenes look at what it takes to import wine into the US. We talk about why she chose to import wines from Mexico and Portugal, as well as her meticulous selection process for importing wines - hint it’s all about building strong, trust-based relationships with producers. She places an emphasis on low-intervention wines that genuinely represent their regi...
2024-12-2533 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhat Wine to Pour this Holiday Season (without overspending)Ep 83Are you scrambling to find the perfect wine for your holiday gatherings? I’ve got you covered with sparkling, white, red and dessert wines that will be perfect for your Christmas dinner.In today’s episode I’m sharing with you a cost-effective yet sophisticated alternative to Champagne as well as food-friendly white wines that will add a rich note to your holiday dinner, because we don’t just have to drink red wine for the holidays!But if you do p...
2024-12-1829 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHailey’s Must Have 2024 Holiday Wine Gift GuideEp 82This is one of my favorite episodes of the year! We are diving into my 2024 holiday wine gift guide!Maybe you’re like my family and you start your holiday shopping in October, or maybe you are like Mr. Cork & Fizz’s family and you start your shopping in December. Either way, I think you will find some amazing gift ideas here as well as some fun stocking stuffer ideas!This gift guide is specially curated for wine enthusiasts and wine beginners. It i...
2024-12-1133 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsDemystifying Burgundy Wine w/ Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 2)Ep 81Are you curious about the world of Burgundy wines? What makes them so unique and sought after?Burgundy is a wine lover’s paradise, but diving into its complexities can feel like navigating a maze!Today, I have Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine back on the podcast and she is diving into the nuances of Burgundy wine. Kim explores the importance of terroir - the distinct environmental factors such as soil, orientation, and climate - that give each parcel its unique ch...
2024-12-0436 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBurgundy Wine Adventures w/ Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 1)Ep 80Ever dreamed of sipping world-renowned Burgundy wine in the very vineyards they come from?I did just that on my recent trip to Burgundy! It was made possible by an amazing wine tour from Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine. The tour was a highlight of my trip so I knew I had to invite Kim on the podcast!Kim’s career in the wine world originated in California in the late 80s, which enticed her to spend an immersion year in Burgundy, now he...
2024-11-2736 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: Jura Wine 101Ep 79Ever tasted a wine so unique that you either absolutely love it or completely hate it?I was first introduced to Jura wine at a French wine shop here in Seattle. I saw a bottle of Savagnin and asked the wine clerk how is this different from Sauvignon Blanc? The owner said I had to try it and people either love it or hate it! I ended up loving the unique wines of Jura and I knew that Jura would be a s...
2024-11-2029 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: Beaujolais & Burgundy 101Ep 78When I was planning my trip to France with Mr. Cork & Fizz, it was an absolute given that we would visit Burgundy! And much to my surprise, I saw that we would have to drive right through Beaujolais to get to Burgundy. You know we had to stop in Beaujolais for a wine tasting and I’m so glad we did! So, for today’s episode we are going to talk about Burgundy and Beaujolais, and what makes each area so special.Beauj...
2024-11-1342 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBurgundy Wine Demystified: What Makes it Worth the Hype w/ Maison Shaps Winery (Part 2)Ep 77The world of Burgundy grapes and wine can be incredibly confusing, which is why I have the father-daughter duo, Hanna and Michael Shaps, back on the podcast. Today, they share what you really need to know about Burgundy. So, what should we know about Burgundy?How about the Aligoté grape? Once the underdog of Burgundy, it has now risen to 6% of Burgundy’s wine production. Once considered a lesser varietal, Aligoté is making a rema...
2024-11-0629 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsFrom Virginia Wine to Burgundy Wine w/ Hanna & Michael Shaps (Part 1)Ep 76What is it like to master winemaking in both the historic vineyards of Burgundy and the dynamic terroir of Virginia?That’s exactly what today's guest, Michael Shaps, has done. Shaps and his daughter, Hanna, are navigating French wine traditions and pioneering diverse varietals in Virginia. Maison Shaps is a french-american winery that currently owns four hectares in the Côte de Beaune. Founded by Michael Shaps after his studies at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, Maison Shaps focuses on making low-i...
2024-10-3031 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Light, Crisp French White Wine You’re Missing out onEp 75Ever wondered how the Melon grape from Burgundy transformed into the acclaimed Muscadet wines of Nantes?While in France, we visited Nantes! Located in the westernmost part of the Loire Valley, it is also home to the Muscadet region. Muscadet has some of the most intriguing, affordable and delectable grapes, primarily crafted from the Melon grape. I’m diving into the grape, Melon, which is known for producing high-acidity wines. We’ll discuss how this grape unexpectedly found its perfect home in Na...
2024-10-2336 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: An Overview with Travel & Planning TipsEp 74I have wanted to visit France since I first fell in love with a white Burgundy.Mr. Cork & Fizz and I planned this bucket list trip in 2020. Of course that didn’t happen and since I don’t love to fly, it kept getting pushed down the list of places to visit. My final push to get this bucket list item back on my calendar came when my Mom and Dad gifted me a basket of wonderful French goodies because they knew how m...
2024-10-1631 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Underrated French Wine Regions & Pronunciations w/ Katie Melchior (Part 2)Ep 73Are you curious about lesser known French wine regions and mastering tricky pronunciation?Today, I have Katie Melchior back on the podcast with me and she is helping us master French wine region pronunciation. Katie shares how to pronounce regions such as Champagne, Bourgogne and the tricky Languedoc-Roussillon. And how to understand letter combinations to get that French sound.She shares her top 3 regions that she feels deserves more attention, which one she considers the underdog of French wine, and where you...
2024-10-0943 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Unique Path into French Wine Education w/ French Wine Tutor Katie Melchior (Part 1)Ep 72Who knew a road trip with influencers through the Loire Valley could ignite a passion for making French wine accessible?On this trip through the Loire Valley, Katie noted the poorly translated materials that were being used to educate the influencers. This would ultimately lead to Katie launching the French Wine Tutor!Katie Melchior, the founder of French Wine Tutor, is an American who has studied French since she was 11 years old and lived in France several times. After pursuing use of...
2024-10-0232 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Lebanese WineEp 71You’ve probably heard of old world and new world wines but have you heard about the ancient world?Lebanon is one of the lesser known winemaking regions, however, historians date Lebanese wine making back to 2700 BC with the Phoenicians!Today, we are going to explore the unique geographical and climatic nuances that make Lebanese wine so special, from its Mediterranean climate to the chalky limestone soils of the Bekkah valley. You will also learn about France’s influence on Lebanese wine and...
2024-09-2521 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUnderstanding the Differences: Organic, Biodynamic, Natural & Clean Wines ExplainedEp 70 There are a lot of buzzwords in the wine world and honestly, some of them are more marketing than anything else. However, there are a few that I think are important to talk about.Today, we are diving into the differences between organic, biodynamic, natural and clean wines? What does it mean when you see that a wine has been made sustainably?I’m breaking down the varying standards and certifications, exploring the unique practices in biodynamic winemaking, such as burying cow hor...
2024-09-1829 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Spanish Sparkling Wine with Pepe Raventos: Breaking Away from Cava (Part 2)Ep 69 When you think of Spanish sparkling wine do you think of Cava?Today's guest, Pepe Raventos, is all too familiar with the Cava DO and its regulations because his grandfather was the promoter and creator of the Cava DO.However, Pepe is sharing the rationale behind his family’s bold move to depart from the traditional Cava DO where the standards are too broad and winemaking has shifted to mass production. Pepe and his family are...
2024-09-1124 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Family Legacy with Spanish Winemaker Pepe Raventos (Part 1)Ep 68 I often ask my guests what made them decide to get into wine. However, today’s guest’s family has been in the wine business for five centuries, so I’m going to take a guess and say that has something to do with it. Today, Spanish winemaker, Pepe of Raventós i Blanc, is sharing how his winery has transitioned to producing 100% biodynamic wines, the challenges that he has faced in maintaining his family's traditions. He also shares his story from social work back to the family bu...
2024-09-0423 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Storing Wine at HomeEp 67 I’ve always cringed when watching those shows like house hunters when they show homes with kitchen wine storage right above the oven. Spoiler: that's one of the worst places to store wine!So, where should you store your wine at home?Today, we are diving into the best way to store wine at home. I'll guide you through creating the perfect home environment for your wine bottles, emphasizing a cool, dark, and stable setting. You don't need fancy furniture or exp...
2024-08-2825 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUkrainian Wine: Bold Flavors from an Unexpected RegionEp 66Have you tried a Ukrainian wine? Yes Ukraine, as in the country of Ukraine, makes wine!While Ukrainian wine isn’t in the mainstream wine world yet, they have been making wine for a very long time.In today’s episode we will dive into the history of Ukrainian wine that dates back to the 8th Century BC. Despite numerous political and historical challenges and the devastating effects of the ongoing war, Ukrainian winemaking has seen an in...
2024-08-2126 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsSynthetic Wine and Thrilling Stories with Jupiter’s Blood Author Steven LaineEp 65 What if science could perfectly replicate a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy, so that our grandkids' grandkids could discover exactly what a 2020 vintage tasted like?This was the idea that initially sparked today’s guest, author Stephen Laine's, latest novel, Jupiter's Blood. Steven Laine, Wine Scholar and author of 'Root Cause,' ‘Dragonvine,’ and 'Jupiter's Blood' is an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier. He's worked two harvests at Canadian wineries as a winemaker-cellarman at Mission Hill Family Estate in 2020 and Trius Winery in 2021...
2024-08-1439 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Serving Wine: From the Temperature, to the Glass, to DecantingEp 64 Summertime means lots of get-togethers with friends and family and the perfect time to serve some great bottles of wine!But, how do you properly serve wine? What temperature should wine be served at? Do I have to have special glasses to serve it in? How do I know if I should decant the wine first?As a wine expert I’ve learned a lot about serving wine and while it’s second nature to me, I know that it’s not for...
2024-08-0738 min